Envelop and stamp moistener.



No. 70|,44I Patented lune 3, |902.

G. M. WILLIAMS.

ENVELB,l AND STAMP MOISTENER.

(Applicatiog led Jan. 24, 1902A (No Model.)

J 7 r f f a v M a r^ /Z .,l HHHHHHHHI L. immun ba UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GILBERT M. WILLIAMS, OE MAYSVILLE, KENTUCKY.

ENVELOP AND STAMP MOISTENER.

SPECJFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 701,441, dated June 3, 1902.

Application filed January 24,1902. Serial No. 91,105. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, GILBERT M. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States,residin g at Maysville, in the county of Mason and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Envelop and Stamp Moistener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an envelop and stamp moistener.

The object of the invention is to present a simply-constructed, thoroughly-efcient, and durable form of device in which moistening of the gummed surfaces of envelops or stamps may readily be effected and in which excess of applied moisture shall be positively obviated.

With these and other objects in View, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of an envelop and stamp mostener, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit of the invention, and in the drawing the figure is a View in vertical longitudinal section through an envelop and stamp moistenercharacterizing the present invention. u

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a cylinder constituting a water-reservoir, the upper end of which is closed by a screw-cap 2 and the lower end by a disk 3, forming the bottom, the latter being inset to present a flange 4E, which in this instance is interiorly threaded and is engaged by the upper exteriorly-threaded portion of a nipple 5, constitnting a sponge-holder, the latter inclosing a dished foraminous or reticulated screen G, the function of which will presently appear. The lower end of the nipple is constricted and is provided with an inward-projecting collar or flange 7 of a diameter to cause its walls to impinge the sponge S with suilic'ient force to hold it against working out or becoming disconnected in use from the nipple, the sponge .being projected'beyond the latter a sufficient distance to present a yielding cushion to be applied to the gum med surface. The sponge 5 5 practically iills the entire interior of the nipple and bears against the under side of the screen 6, by which arrangement water supplied to the nipple above the screen will be evenly fed to the sponge, while the latter 6o will be held out of contact with the mechanism for supplying water thereto.

The screw-cap is provided with a centrallyarranged exteriorly-threaded apertured boss 9, carrying a stufing-box 10, through which and a centrally-disposed opening in the bottom 3 works a rod 0r plunger 11, provided with means for supplying air to the reservoir and water to the nipple, the rod being limited in its upward movement by a nut 12, 7o screwed on its lower end, and between which and the bottom is interposed a packing 13, that operates positively to prevent leakage of Water from the reservoir to the nipple. To hold the rod normally raised or in position to cause the packing'l to bear against vthe bottom 3, a spring 14 is provided, the same being coiled around the rod and has one of its terminals secured thereto, as at 15, and its other terminal connected with a pin or bar 16, 8o secured in the walls of the reservoir.

The means for supplying air to the reservoir as required consists of two ports 17 and 18, `disposed on opposite sides of the rod and connected by a centrally-arranged duct 19, the ports being normally disposed without the reservoir, thereby to preclude entrance of air thereto but when the plunger is depressed, as indicated by dotted lines, the port 1S is disposed within the reservoir and the port 17 9o without the same, whereby air will be free to enter the reservoir. The means for supplying water to the nipple consists of two ports 2O and 21, disposed on opposite sides of the rod and connected by a centrally-arranged duct 22, the ports being normally disposed above the bottom 3; but when theplunger is depressed the port 21 is disposed within the space above the screen 6 and theport 20 within the reservoir, thereby permitting flow of 10o water to the sponge. Owing to the fact that air is positively precluded entrance to the reservoir except when the plunger is depressed by reason of the stuffing-box 10, there will be no possibility of leakage of water to the nipple, so that danger of the implement becoming inoperative either through an excess of the supply of water or by the water leaking, and thus evaporating, will be obviated.

To supply water to the reservoir, there is provided a lateral tubular extension 23 near the upper end of the cylinder, the extension being exteriorly threaded and engaged by an interiorly-screw-threaded cap 24, carrying a packing 25, which bears upon the end of the extension, and thus presents a water-tight seal at this point. In addition to performing the function of a means for filling the reservoir the extension also constitutes a stop to prevent the device from rolling off of the desk or table.

As will be observed by reference to the drawing, there is an open space 26 left bef tween the sponge and the constricted portion of the nipple, this being formed by the collar 7, and this space constitutes a supplemental reservoir for receiving and holding any excess ot' water supplied to the sponge, which when the device is not in use will be absorbed, and thus operate to keep the sponge moist and in proper condition for use. To prevent unnecessary evaporation of the water from the exposed portion of the sponge when the implement is not in use, a cap 27 is provided, whichis adapted to lit over the nipple and be held in position by frictional contact therewith.

By the provision of the screw-cap 2 and the threaded nipple 5 access may be had in the first instance to the interior of the cylinder to cleanse the same when necessary and in the second instance to the screen 6, should the meshes or openings therein become partially clogged or filled with accumulated matter, or to the stuffing 13, should it be necessary to replace t-he same, so that effective use of the device will thus be secured.

When the device is to be employed for moistening envelops or stamps, the cap 27 is removed and the cushion or sponge is applied to the gummed surface in a manner that will be readily understood. When the sponge does not contain suflicient moisture properly to dampen the gum, the plunger 1I will be depressed, thereby permitting water to pass to the sponge, and immediately on release of the plunger it will, through the spring 14, resume its normal position, and thus cut off the escape of water.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that, the device of the presentinvention being composed of but few number of parts, and these of simple and ready construction,

the implement as a whole presents a thoroughly-efficient device for the purpose designed and one which will not be apt to get out of repair from long-continued use.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An envelop and stamp moistener comprising a water-reservoir, a water-absorbent medium associated therewith, and a plunger provided near its extremities with ports, one of which is normally disposed without the reservoir, and the other normally disposed within the same, the first-named port, when the plunger is depressed, serving to supply air to the reservoir, and the second-named port to supply water to the said medium.

2. In an envelop and stamp moistener, the combination with a water-reservoir, of a nipple associated therewith and containing an absorbent material projecting at one end beyond the nipple, and a plunger provided with ports for supplying air to the reservoir and water to the nipple.

3. In an envelop and stamp moistener, the combination with a reservoir, of a nipple associated therewith and containing an absorbent material projecting at one end beyond the nipple, an open-work screen against which the said material bears, and a plunger provided with means for supplying air to the reservoir and water to the said material.

4. In an envelop and stamp moistener, the combination of a cylinder provided with a normally sealed water-filling inlet, a cap connected with one end of the cylinder and provided with a stuffing-box, a bottom secured within the opposite end and provided with a centrally-disposed orifice, a spring-retracted plunger working in the stuffing-box and in the orifice, and provided near its terminals with ports, one of which is normally in communication with the air and the other with the cylinder, a packing carried by the plunger and bearing against the under side of the bottom, a nipple associated with the cylinder and having its lower end constricted, an openwork dished screen carried by the nipple, and a sponge housed within the nipple and bearing against the under side of the screen and projecting beyond the constricted end of the nipple.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GILBERT M. VILLIAMS.

Vituesses:

C. D. NEWELL, ISAAC WooDwARD.

IOO

IOS

IIO 

